Auburndale Woman Killed by Fireworks Blast

Saturday

Jul 5, 2014 at 5:23 PMJul 5, 2014 at 11:52 PM

An Auburndale woman died Saturday evening, a day after she was severely burned when fireworks exploded inside her home.

By AIMEE SACHSTHE LEDGER

AUBURNDALE | An Auburndale woman died Saturday evening, a day after she was severely burned when fireworks exploded inside her home. The woman's son also was injured in the fire and a dog was killed, the Auburndale Police Department said.Kathryn Flint, 49, of 226 Eaker St., went into her bedroom about 8:40 p.m. Friday to get multiple fireworks for a family gathering, and one mortar accidentally went off, police said.That explosion set off more fireworks that caused a fire, but police said Saturday they did not know what caused the initial explosion.Auburndale Deputy Police Chief Andy Ray said Saturday those types of fireworks are not legal to possess in Florida except with a license, and the people at the Auburndale house did not have a license."They're definitely dangerous," Ray said. "Obviously, we would suggest that you leave exploding fireworks to professionals."After the fire started, Flint's son, 25-year-old Christopher Flint of 3815 Ave. R NW in Winter Haven, went to the bedroom window, removed an air conditioner and pulled his mother from the burning room, but he was also burned, police said. Christopher Flint was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and was released Saturday, police said.One dog died in the fire and another dog, which was burned, is in the care of animal control, police said.Kathryn Flint was taken by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she died at 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Ray said. The Orange/Osceola Medical Examiners Office will conduct an autopsy.An investigation is ongoing.

[ Aimee Sachs can be reached at aimee.sachs@theledger.com or 863-802-7516. Follow her on Twitter @LedgerAimee. ]